Cougar Pride!

Cougar Pride is evident throughout downtown Van Wert and beyond as a number of businesses are showing their support for Van Wert’s football team during this year’s playoff run. Bob Barnes/Van Wert independent

3 COVID deaths, 138 new cases reported

VW independent/submitted information As of Thursday, the Van Wert County General Health District reports three additional COVID-19 deaths of residents of Van Wert County, bringing the total number of deaths to 79. The age ranges of the deceased are two deaths in 60-69 age range and between 80-89. The health department also reported an increase […]

Local church hosting Thanksgiving dinner

Van Wert independent Trinity Friends Church at 605 N. Franklin Street in Van Wert will host a Community Thanksgiving Dinner from 12-4 p.m. Thursday, November 25, in the Family Life Center. Anyone in need of a warm meal, pleasant company or both this holiday is welcome to enjoy the dinner or carryout free of charge. […]

Janette Leota (Taylor) Smith

Janette Leota (Taylor) Smith was a wonderful wife, sister, mother, “Grammy”, and friend to many. She passed away peacefully on Oct. 29, 2021, just two weeks shy of her 93rd birthday. Janette was born in Van Wert and grew up just outside of Venedocia. She started a family with her husband Carl, bringing her two […]

Fredrick L. Snyder

Frederick Leonidas Snyder, 73, of Ohio City, passed away quietly at his residence Tuesday, November 16, 2021, from small cell lung cancer. He was born on April 1, 1948 in Decatur, Indiana to Forest O. Snyder and Louise (Headley) Snyder, who both preceded him in death. Fred served his country in the United States Army. […]

In-person “Toast to the YWCA” canceled

VW independent staff The YWCA of Van Wert County has made the difficult decision to cancel the in-person Toast to the YWCA event scheduled for Friday, November 19. In a statement, YWCA officials said the decision was made due to the Van Wert High School regional championship football game being played on the same night […]

Shirley Ann Bolton

Shirley Ann Bolton, 81, of Van Wert, passed away at 1 a.m. Wednesday, November 17, 2021, at VanCrest Health Care Center. She was born on November 5, 1940, in Van Wert County, the daughter of Forrest Arnold Kundert and Pauline R. (Keysor) Kundert-Gamble, who both preceded her in death. On August 22, 1980, she married […]

Betty Bernice Robey

Betty Bernice Robey, 66, of Van Wert, passed away at 3:35 p.m. Tuesday, November 16, 2021, at Van Wert Health. She was born on August 22, 1955, in Middle Point, the daughter of Russell Everett Slates, who preceded her in death, and LaDonna Faith (Stepleton) Heffner who survives in Bristow, Oklahoma. Family survivors include her […]

Pigskin Pick’Em: regional championships

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor Eight area teams will compete for regional championships this week — two from the Western Buckeye League, one from the Northwest Conference, four from the Midwest Athletic Conference and one independent.  For what it’s worth, six of the eight remaining area teams were ranked in the final Associated Press poll of the […]

VW school board hears about finances

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor Van Wert City Schools will be in the black for the next five years, according to the latest financial forecast. Treasurer Michelle Mawer delivered the good news during Wednesday night’s Board of Education meeting but she tempered it by noting projected revenues will be flat and deficit spending will occur starting with […]